Steps to Apply

STEP 1:   Acquire a Personal Identification Number

  • Apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov before completing the FAFSA on the Web. Both students and parents of dependent students should obtain a PIN. The U.S. Department of Education will send you a PIN once you have submitted your FAFSA
  • Allow 3 to 10 days for receipt.
  • SAVE your PIN. Your PIN must be activated with each award year at www.pin.ed.gov.

STEP 2:  Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • When Chattanooga State downloads a student's FAFSA from the Central Processing Center (CPS), the student will receive a letter from the Chattanooga State Financial Aid Office with instructions on how to review your application status online.
  • Resources that assist with completing the FAFSA:
    • Chattanooga State Financial Aid Office
    • Your high school counselor
  • Complete the FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Complete the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet before beginning to enter your information.
  • Prior to beginning insure you have the necessary documents to complete the application. (i.e. social security number, driver's license, income tax return, and bank statements).
  • You can utilize available computers in the ChSCC Financial Aid Office. The staff will assist you in completing the FAFSA if you have questions.
  • The Federal Processing Center analyzes your FAFSA information to determine an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Based on a federally mandated formula, the EFC is the amount of support that you and your family are expected to
    provide for your educational expenses.

If you use the paper version, mail your completed/signed application to the Federal Processing Center in the envelope provided with the application. The paper form may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

If you use the Web version, use your PIN to electronically "sign" your application. If you are a dependent, your parent(s) must electronically "sign," too, using their PIN.

Financial Aid Home | Steps to Apply

Step 3:  Apply for Chattanooga State Scholarships

STEP 4:  Apply to ChSCC & Declare a Major in an Eligible Degree or Certificate Program

  • You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program to receive financial aid. Contact the admissions office at 423-697-4401 for questions concerning admission application or declaring a major.
  • Check with the Financial Aid Office - additional documents may be required to complete your Financial Aid Packet that are not required in the Admissions Office (i.e. transcripts)

STEP 5:  Verify Information on Your Student Aid Report (SAR)

  • The results of your FAFSA are reported to you in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR) approximately 1-4 weeks after submitting your FAFSA depending on whether you filed the FAFSA online or submitted by mail.
  • The SAR provides your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC will be used to determine the amount of federal aid you will be awarded.
  • Review your SAR carefully to check for accuracy. Correct any incorrect information.
  • Our office will review an electronic version of your SAR to see if additional or supplementary information is needed.

STEP 6:  Check on the Status of Your Application

Check the status of your financial aid application using your student self-service account .  You will receive your User ID and password when your admissions application is complete.  Go to the Chattanooga State home page and select "Log On TigerWeb."
  1. Enter User ID and Password
  2. Select "Click Here to Enter"
  3. Click "Financial Aid"
  4. Click "Financial Aid Status"
  5. Select the appropriate term
  6. Review student requirements for the status of your application
An application is considered complete when all of the applicant items have been received.

Financial Aid Home | Steps to Apply

STEP 7:  Provide Additional Information if Necessary

  • Additional information or documentation may be needed to complete your application.
  • Review all "Active Messages" on your financial aid status page for additional items needed.
  • Respond to all requests as quickly as possible.
  • Submit information via U.S. mail or drop it by the Financial Aid Office.
  • Any delay in submitting additional documents will delay your financial aid award.
  • Verification: When the Central Processing System (CPS) processes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid it selects applications for a process called verification. If your application is selected for verification, additional documents (copies of federal tax returns, income information, etc) will be required to complete your financial aid application. If selected, the verification process must be completed prior to your financial aid being awarded. Depending on when all documents are turned into the financial aid office, the process takes three (3) to five (8) weeks before a student is awarded.

STEP 8:  Review and accept your Awards

  • The type(s) and amount(s) of financial aid you are eligible to receive will be posted on your self-service account.
  • Your awards are based on an established cost of attendance and your expected family contribution.

      Cost of Attendance
    minus EFC
    equals Student Need
    minus Pell Grant & SEOG
    minus Veteran Benefits
    minus Scholarships, grants, work-study, fee waivers...etc
    equals Loan Need
  • The Federal Work Study, Loans and scholarship awards must be accepted or declined utilizing your " self-service account"

Financial Aid Home | Steps to Apply

STEP 9:  Enroll and Pay Your Fees

  • Register for classes in accordance with the instructions provided by the Admissions Office
  • Confirm your attendance to hold your classes
    • Log-in to your TigerWeb account
    • Click on the link under Tigerweb Self-service - Click her to Enter
    • Click Student
    • Click Student Account
    • Click Account Detail for Term/Confirm Enrollment/Credit Card Payment
    • Select The current term
    • Click Yes, I will attend
  • If you do not receive a Confirmation Number, your attendance is NOT confirmed and you owe a balance. Students must pay the remaining balance to hold their class schedule.

STEP 10:  Financial Aid Refund Checks

  • A check pick-up day will be announced each semester for students with a completed financial aid file and with excess financial aid available on their student account. Students need to monitor their campus email account and their Tigerweb account for the announcement of the date.
  • Checks will be mailed that are not picked up on the check pick-up day and for files completed after the designated check pick-up day.
  • Once a student receives their financial aid check, the student is responsible for any balances on their account due to adding or dropping classes.  For example, a student who drops a class after receiving their financial aid check and prior to the final drop/add date will be responsible for the balance due.

Financial Aid Home | Steps to Apply